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VOLUME XX, PART III, MAY/JUNE 2004
NEWSLETTER OF THE FLORIDA GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

i
See page six for more photos from the 17th Annual SFGCSA Exposition and Field Day held at Fort Lauderdale REC
May 12 Chapter Cup Challenge, j oint
tournament for Ridge, Central
Florida and West Coast. Host:
Kevin Baldwin, Diamond
Players Club, Clermont
May 13 Calusa chapter meeting,
Maple Leaf GC
May 14 Everglades chapter Poa
- 16
Tournament weekend, Naples
Beach Club. See details pg 5
May 14 FGCSA Seminar, "Dealing with
Jerks," Naples. Dr. Patt
Schwab, .35 GCSAA education points. Seepage 5.
May 18 North Florida chapter meeting,
Windsor Parke,
May 24 Treasure Coast GCSA's
Blue Pearl, Loblolly Pines GC.
See details page 7

Upcoming Events

May 25 Suncoast chapter Annual
Meeting, Sara Bay CC
May 28 Central Florida chapter
meeting, Kingsridge North
Course, Clermont
June 5 PBGCSA Future of Golf
Tournament, The Falls CC
June 14 Central Florida GCSA Golf
Championship, Eagle Creek
June 16 Gulf Coast Turfgrass Expo &
Field Day, West FLREC, Jay
June 17 Calusa GCSA Annual Meeting/Elections, Kingsway GC
June 17 Everglades GCSA Vendor
Appreciation Day, Imperial GC
June 19 PBGCSA 3rd Annual Fishing
Tournament

July 16 Everglades GCSA Annual
Meeting, Tiburon
July 22 University of Florida IFAS
Field Day, Gainesville
July 24. FGCSA Meeting and Crowfoot
Pre-Reception, Grand Cypress
July 25 CFGCSA's Larry Kamphaus
Tournament, Grand Cypress
Sept. 13 FTGA Conference & Show,
-15
Hyatt Hotel, Tampa
Sept. 30 GCSAA Regional Seminar,
"Management Strategies for
Turfgrass Systems," Dr. Joe
Vargas, Crown Plaza, Orlando
Oct. 19 GCSAA Regional Seminar,
"Irrigating with Reclaimed
Water," Dr. Ali Harivandi, to
be held in South Florida

President's Message

President's Message
Greg Pheneger
Spring has sprung with educational opportunities abundant throughout the state. Local Chapters and the State have gone out of
their way to provide various educational and
convenient sessions for everyone.
The Central Florida Chapter, in cooperation
with GCSAA, hosted a seminar entitled
"Bermudagrass Management" which was
held at the Crown Plaza Resort in Orlando.
The seminar was presented by Dr. John Cisar
from the University of Florida and Dr. David
Kopec from the Arizona State University.
The course dealt with the cultural practices
of turfgrass of the ultra dwarf varieties.
The Everglades held their 12th Annual
Turfgrass Spring Symposium at the Naples
Beach Hotel and Golf Club. 98 attendees
heard a wide range of topics from compliance issues to working effectively with a
general manager. In between Dr. Thomas
Nikolai from Michigan State and Dr. Bruce
Martin from North Carolina State presented
some very interesting research results from
sjodies on rolling and fertility effects on
green's rootzones and disease managment on
ultradwarfs.

seminar presented by the USGA. This special meeting was envisioned by my former
Green Committee Chairman and, in conjunction with Jim Snow and John Foy, became a
reality. The event's outline had a slightly
different twist, in that the target audience was
not golf course superintendents, it was Green
and Golf Committee Members; Board of
Directors and Club Managers. The main
purpose of this meeting was to answer these
individuals general questions regarding
green speed, overseeding and shade on turf
in laymen's terms.
Fortunately, I had fifteen members in attendance and I have heard nothing but great
reviews regarding the information that was
presented. They were extremely impressed
by the presentation and felt fortunate for the
opportunity to attend. By virtue of their comments, John Foy, Todd Lowe and Jim Snow
did an excellent job. I am sure the USGA
would be willing to hold this type of event
in other areas of the state. The key is for
you to urge your club members and officials
to attend.

Greg Pheneger

held their annual events, the Jack Harrell,
Sr. Memorial Invitational was inaugurated
followed by the Mike Richards/Alan
MacCurrach Memorial and the Suncoast
Scramble. Scholarships were awarded,
charities and turf research benefitted and veterans were recognized for their services to
our profession.

In addition to the extensive educational opportunities, golf tournaments have popped
up just like sedge after a summer rainstorm.
Everywhere I look there is an event at a great
venue to benefit a worthwhile charity. The The 2004 Poa Annua Classic is being held
John's Island was the venue for a half day Ridge, North Florida and Suncoast chapters at the Naples Beach and Golf Club on May
13, 14 and 15. The weekend begins with
the FGCS A Spring Board Meeting on Thursday and everyone is invited to attend. Later
that evening the Board of Directors will host
the Past President's Dinner. This will enable the present Board to meet and converse
Financial Support:
Editor:
with
former leaders of the organization. Last
This issue of the Green Sheet is
Joel Jackson, CGCS
year's
inaugural event was a rousing sucbeing sponsored by:
(407) 248-1971 (fax/phone)
cess
and
this year promises to be even bete-mail: FLGrn@aol.com
ter
with
the
addition of the Distinguished
Golf Ventures
Service
Award
Presentation.
2101 E Edgewood Drive
News Coordinator:
Lakeland, FL 33803
Mrs. Marie Roberts
On Friday we launch into an educational
800-330-8874
1760 NW Pine Lake Drive
seminar organized by the state entitled
800-481-8911
Stuart, FL 34994
"Dealing
With Jerks and Knee Jerk Reactions"
888-222-7072
(772) 692-9349
with
speaker
Patt Schwab. The morning
(772) 692-9654 (fax)
should
be
very
educational as well as enterAll material submitted for printing will
(800) 732-6053 (Florida Wats)
taining
and
then
you will swing into action
be edited at the discretion of the editor.
e-mail: fgcsal23@bellsouth.net
on
the
golf
course
considering the afternoon
Material must be typed or clearly
will
be
spent
at
the
G.C. Horn Tournament.
The Green Sheet is a bimonthly FGCSA printed. Photos are encouraged. Items
Saturday's
activities
are the traditional Poa
newsletter printed as follows: Jan/Feb, must be for the good of the association.
Annua
Classic
and
then
on into the evening
March/April, May/June, July/August,
with
the
ever
famous
Luau
for conversing
Deadline next issue: June 15.
Sept/October, November/December.
.... Continued on page 4

GREEN SHEE

2

The Green Sheet

Director of Communications Report

What's Up D.O.C.?
by Joel Jackson
1. Government Relations: Spring Regulatory Tour: Twenty-five Federal and State environmental regulators took part in the 18th
Annual Spring Regulatory Tour of Florida
Agriculture. The Florida Fruit & Vegetable
Association asked us to participate three
years ago and we've been going strong since
then with Tim Hiers hosting a Monday afternoon tour of the Old Collier GC course
and facilities.
Everglades' members Jim Leiseberg and Lou
Conzelmann and yours truly volunteered to
help drive the regulators around the course
and answer questions in their smaller groups.
The group got to witness a wide variety of
habitat, lots of bird species and an obliging
8 foot gator who posed for photos next to a
wetlands bridge. Assistant Superintendent
Todd Draffen besides doubling as a tour
chauffer also did a demo greens spraying
with a shrouded walking boom.

has been gathering input on the feasibility nars are over as well as the South Florida
of relocating the GCSAA headquarters.
Turf Expo and Everglades Spring Symposium, but more opportunities are on the way:
Also, FGCSA officers, Greg Pheneger and GCSAA Regional Seminars: April 27th and
Craig Weyandt, along with officers from the September 30th in Orlando and October 19th
North Florida GCSA attended the GCSAA in South Florida. Also 2-3 ACSP workshops
Spring Board Meeting which was held at are in the planning stages for later this year:
Amelia Island. This involvement of local one at the Crowfoot Open in July, possibly
representatives will be part of the new gov- one at the FTGA Conference and also one
ernance policy as well to keep infusing grass in South Florida (TBA). The FTGA Conferroots input into deliberations and bubbling ence education is coming together for Tuesup issues for consideration. Post meeting day and Wednesday, but the jury is still out
board comments indicated this was one of on having a 1/2 day seminar on Monday
the best Board meetings ever with this new morning. Last year the Monday event was
poorly attended. With travel and golf on
format.
Monday, the timing seems problematic. UnOn April 13 th, as a Task Group Chairman, I less we get a groundswell of support for a
took part in an experimental training pro- Monday class we may not offer golf track
cess called a Web Cast. Essentially it was a education on that day. If you have input
computer online conference call with the please speak up ASAP. Thanks.
added element of being able to view a Power
Point presentation of information. With 4. Media/Public Relations: Congratulations
headsets and microphones plugged into your and thanks to all the members of the South
computer you can talk and/or type into a text Florida, Palm Beach, Central Florida and
box also visible on the screen. There are North Florida chapters for serving as spotvarious tool bar icons that allow you to com- ters and scorers for NBC Sports during the
ment Yes and No to questions posed by a Southern Swing of the PGA Tour. I know. I
speaker and even some "fun" icons to indi- was logging an average of 6.8 miles a day at
cate applause and even laughter at a humor- Bay Hill, but I enjoyed all of it and hearing
ous comment. It was a test run and there were the war stories about the various players arid
some glitches, but it will be a good their trials and tribulations. I got lots of ofconferencing tool that will save lost time fers for my NBC Sports cap, but I held on to
from work and expensive travel costs. Net- it. I did catch Chad Campbell's golf ball afworked email listservers and traditional con- ter he tossed it into the bleachers on #18 afference calls will still be used as technology ter winning and the crowd in the bleachers
will be favored over physical travel and bobbled it. After my 15 seconds of fame, I
tossed it back to the fans.
meetings.

The tour of the course was followed with a
tour through the maintenance complex and
finished with a Q&A session over a dinner
of barbecued ribs and chicken. The FGCSA
supports the transportation, feeding and
housing of the regulators with a $ 1,000 donation to the tour account and by picking up
tab for the passenger golf cart rental during
the tour. Since the price for the rental is the
same for either a day or week, Tim takes the
opportunity to tour 5th graders from a nearby
elementary school during that same time IFAS is looking to gather allied turf and orperiod.
namental groups together to discuss the best
ways to utilize the various Research & Edu2. Allied Associations: As part of GCSAA's cation Centers to maximize service to the
governance structure two pilot committees green industries. Still on a 3-5 year timeline
are being rolled out now: Strategic Commu- and still saying that most southern Florida
nications and Environmental Programs. I turf plots will be relocated to Immokalee and
have been asked to Chair the Publications also asking if there is a viable role that the
Use and Positioning Task Group (one of Ft. Pierce Indian River REC can be utilized.
eight task groups under the Strategic Com- Dr. Terril Nell has been appointed as the turf
munications "umbrella" Committee which is and ornamental industry liaison for IFAS and
chaired by GCSAA Sec/Treasurer Sean the Allied Green Industries. IFAS will hold
Houlehan, and also serve on the Technical it's summer Turf Field Day on July 22nd in
Assistance Task Group as well. Umbrella Gainesville. And just in case you haven't
committees for Professional Development, heard: UF Vice President for IFAS, Dr. Mike
Member & Chapter Services and Allied In- Martin has accepted the post of President of
dustry Council will roll-out a little later in New Mexico State University and will be
the year. Special resource groups will also leaving the University of Florida.
be convened as needed like the current Headquarters Relocation Resource Group which 3. Education: The early season FTGA semiMay/June 2004

6. DOC/Editor Upcoming Events, Travel,
Deadlines and Tasks:
4/28 DOC Chapter Update for May 2004
4/30 Turf & Ornamental Communicators
- 5/2 Assn. Conference, Seattle
5/10 Florida Golf Central Magazine and
Florida Turf Digest deadlines
5/12 Chapter Challenge Cup: Central
Florida, Ridge & West Coast
Chapters, Clermont
5/13 FGCSA Board Meeting & Poa
- 5/15 Annua Classic, Naples
5/20 Florida Green Cover Story Visit,
Heritage Palms, Ft. Myers
5/28 Editorial Deadline for Contributors to Summer Florida Green
5/30 DOC Monthly Chapter Update
for June 2004
6/1 DOC Salary/Expenses for May
3

Spring Regulatory Tour
Continuation of Pg. 2 Presidents Message...
with friends. The whole weekend is notoriously fabulous and the Everglades Chapter
does a fantastic job organizing the event.
Just preceding the Poa Annua, the West
Coast, Ridge and Central Florida chapters
will participate in a newly formed event
called the "Chapter Cup Challenge" to be
held at the Diamond Players Club in
Clermont. It's always good to see chapters
connecting for golf outings and joint meetings.
Later in May is the Treasure Coast "Blue
Pearl Charity Golf Tournament" on the 24th
of May. The tournament returns to it's roots
at Loblolly Pines in Hobe Sound. The tournament began as a vision of Dick Gray's
while he was superintendent at Loblolly in
1994. The tournament always benefits educational and environmental issues.
Last, but certainly not least, the Palm Beach
Chapter will host the "Future of Golf Tour"nament" at The Falls County Club on June
5th. Steve Pearson always has the course in
excellent condition and the greens very
quick, so prepare yourself for a wonderful
event.

Twenty-five environmental regulators on the 2004 Spring Regulatory Tour observe
a demonstration greens spraying operation at the Old Collier GC, Naples.
See Joel Jackson's D.O.C. column on page 3.

There are obviously a number of events,
educational opportunities and golf to keep
everyone very busy over the next two
months, so take advantage of what your organizations have to offer and meet others in
our industry. An organization is only as
strong as its membership!

FGCSA Board Meeting
The FGCSA Spring Board Meeting
will be held at Naples Beach Club on
Thursday, May 13th at 2:00 p.m. As
usual, all FGCSA members who are
staying at the Beach Club are invited to
attend this Board Meeting.
The FGCSA will hold the Annual Past
Presidents Dinner on Thursday evening
at Campiello's Restaurant in Naples.
All Past Presidents have been invited
to attend the dinner where the 2004
FGCSA Distinguished Service Award
will be presented.

Federal, Regional and State Regulators get a photo op of an 8 foot gator
on the Spring Regulatory Tour on the Old Collier G.C.
4 The Green Sheet

Local Chapter Activities

2004 Poa Weekend Set
for May 14th - 16th

The Everglades GCSA has announced that
May 14 through the 16th are the dates for this
year's popular Poa Tournament weekend at
the family-friendly Naples Beach Club.
Friday morning begins with an 8:00 a.m.
FGCSAseminar presented by Dr. Patt Schwab
that is sure to be a hit with the audience. The
title, "Dealing with Jerks", gives us an idea
that this presentation will fitrightin with the
lighthearted nature of the weekend! This interactive class covers how to handle complaints and how to intervene when you are the
authority figure. The material is applicable
for dealing with difficult bosses, co-workers
or subordinates. This class will help you to
identify the types of people who "push your
buttons" and to develop an overall strategy for
putting such people into perspective. This four
hour seminar has been approved by the
GCSAA for .35 education points and registration fee is $35.00 if paid by May 10th.
Continental breakfast is included. Call The Suncoast Chapter donated $1,500 to both the FGCSA and the FTGA Research ^
FGCSA office for a seminar registration form. accounts
the proceeds of this year's Suncoast Scramble held at Misty Creek GC.
Note that you do not need to play in the Poa From left:from
FTGA
Vice President Tom Wells; Suncoast President Bob Gwodz and ;Tournament or the Horn Tournament to attend
FGCSADirector
of Communications Joel Jackson celebrate the occasion.
this FGCSA sponsored seminar.
The seminar will conclude in time for those
wishing to play in the G. .C. Horn Tournament
to make the 1:15 p.m. Shotgun Start at the
Estuary GC just a short distance from the
Beach Club. All contributions from this tournament are used to support long range turf
research by the University of Florida through
the G. C. Horn Memorial Endowment Fund.
This year's format wil be a 3 man team with a
team handicap greater than 30. Refreshments
and hors d'oeuvres to follow.
Saturday morning's Poa Tournament sign in
begins at 7:00 a.m. with an 8:00 a.m. Shotgun
Start at the Beach Club. The always popular
luau will be held Saturday evening from 6:30
to 10:00 p.m. on the Watkins Lawn.
Poa Registration Forms are available by
calling the FGCSA office at 1-800-7326053. For more information concerning the
individual activities and registration forms Ridge GCSA leaders from left: Clay Marshall, Roy Wilshire, Jeff Brown, Alan Puckett
for all events at the Poa, please contact Mike and Mark Hopkins honored Jack Harrell, Sr. by creating a turf scholarship in Senior's
Smith at 239-860-6680 or Matt Taylor at name at Florida Southern College in Lakeland and hosted the 11th annual Jack Harrell
239-261-4987.
Sr. Memorial Invitational at Grasslands CC. The Tournament winner was Joe Ondo.
May/June 2004

5

South Florida Expo and Field Day

Record Number of Participants Attend the 17th Annual SFGCSA Exposition
at the University of Florida Fort Lauderdale REC
The South Florida GCSA
hosted the 17th Annual Exposition at the University of
Florida IFAS Station in Fort
Lauderdale on Thursday,
March 18th. The weather was
perfect, the crowd was large,
the education was timely and
plentiful, lots of money was
raised for research, and the
food was great!
The morning field tours were
a big hit. If you were unable
to attend the Expo, you may
obtain a brochure describing
14 of the research studies being performed by the University of Florida researchers at
the REC by calling the FGCSA
office. Education continued
in the afternoon with sessions
for technicians as well as an interesting and well received
panel discussion on Seashore
Paspallum for golf course superintendents
In addition to being a great educational program, the all day
event is the major fundraiser for
the upkeep and maintenance of
the FGCSA research green as
well as the University of Florida
turf plots at the site.

Does a superintendent come to these Field Days for the education, the
great barbeque, or for the sight and sounds of the equipment demonstrations?

The SFGCSA would like to
thank major sponsors Hector
Turf, Kilpatrick Turf and Environmental Turf as well as the
other equipment sponsors
NuCrane Machinery, Disbrow
Enterprises and Florida Coast
Equipment. The 32 booth sponsors, although too numerous to
mention in this column, are also
thanked for their loyal support
of this event. Most of these
sponsors have supported the
Expo for the past 17 years. And,
most importantly, many thanks
are due to Dr. John Cisar, Dr.
Phil Busey and the REC staff for
putting all of this together!
6

The Green Sheet

More Chapter Fundraiser Tournaments

Jacksonville G&CC Hosts North Florida GCSA Mike Richards Tournament
On March 15th, 84 NFGCSA members and guests
enjoyed a beautiful day of golf and fellowship at
Jacksonville G&CC. Greg Tharp and his staff
did a fantastic job setting up a great golf course.
Jay McCord awarded Paul Hammrick the
NFGCSA Lifetime Achievement Award. Thanks
Paul for contributing your time and effort in making the NFGCSA what it is today.
The 2004 Scholarship winners were presented
with their checks as follows: Roger Hale received
the $2,000 Mike Richards Scholarship and Timothy Lyons won the $2,000 Alan MacCurrach Scholarship. Both recipients are students at Lake City
Community College. In addition to these scholarships, the NFGCSA made donations to the First
Tee of St. John's County and to the Audubon Sanctuary Program.
The NFGCSA Board would like to thank all of
their affiliate members who sponsored this event.
Special thanks go to major sponsors - Golf Ventures, Southeast Turfgrass Supply and Tresca Turf
and Tractor.

msft

Jay McCord, left, roasted and toasted NFGCSA member, Paul Hammrick,
for his service to the chapter and presented him with the 2004 Alan MacCurrach
Lifetime Achievement Award

eet wwi e(ll tbe Flvifti Trtsnss imetatm
Until WIMM
tyUlttrHflN
The Florida Turfgrass Association is beginning to
make plans for the 52nd Annual Conference & Trade
Show, in Tampa, on September 12-15, 2004.
Events to include the Annual Golf Tournament, The
Annual Fishing Tournament, Trade Show,
Workshops, Concurrent Sessions, and a GCSAA
Seminar.
Rooms at the Tampa Hyatt Regency are at the
special conference rate which ranges from $103.00$133.00 per night.
For More Information Contact Amanda Cestaro at:
3008 East Robinson Street
Orlando, FL 32803
Phone: (800) 882-6721 Fax: (407) 896-6857
Email: acestaro@ftga.org Website: www.ftga.org
May/June 2004 7

Palm Beach and Treasure Coast
Chapters Set Tournament Dates for
May 24th and June 5th

PALM BEACH GCSA FUTURE OF GOLF:
The 24th Annual Future of Golf Tournament will be held
on Saturday, June 5th at the Falls CC. Steve Pearson will
again serve as Host Superintendent. This major fundraiser
for the Palm Beach chapter includes equipment displays
on the course, great raffle prizes and a spectacular course
to play. There will be plenty of good food and refreshments on the course beginning with the 1:00 p.m. Shotgun
start. Contact a Palm Beach board member for registration form for team or a tee sign sponsorship.

TREASURE COAST GCSA BLUE PEARL:
The 11th Annual Blue Pearl Charity Golf Tournament will
be held at Loblolly Pines GC in Hobe Sound on May 24th.
Over the years, this tournament has generated more than
$144,000 which has been donated to numerous projects
helping children in a variety of areas. Thanks to Hector
Turf for serving as our major sponsor this year. Sign up
early for the 9:00 a.m. Shotgun start. Team registration
forms as well as tee sign applications are available by calling Barbara Tierney at 772-231-1700 ext. 6002.

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Local Chapters Raise Funds for Turfgrass Research with Spring Events

FGCSA
Marie Roberts
1760 NW Pine Lake Drive
Stuart, FL 34994

FIRST CLASS
U.S. Postage
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Stuart, FL
Cookingham, Peter
Turfgrass Information Center
MSU: W-212 Library
East Lansing, Michigan 48824